Fists are clenching and Welsh flags are furiously flying as Celebrity MasterChef’s Alun Wyn Jones blazes through the competition
There’s one thing about Alun Wyn Jones that’s driving Celebrity MasterChef viewers mad (Image: BBC)
Former Welsh rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones is storming through his challenges on the latest series of Celebrity MasterChef landing in the final thanks to his expert-level cooking skills and creative kitchen genius. And while he’s impressing viewers and judges alike with dishes there’s something that happens every time Alun’s on screen that’s making Welsh viewers’ toes curl.
The former lock has thrown out dishes such as spiced salmon and noodles, stuffed cabbage and, most recently, a coronation chicken-stuffed semolina sphere served with a swirl of potato for a 250th anniversary celebration of Wedgewood, which saw him under the watchful eye of Cherish Finden, one of the world’s leading pastry chefs.
He’s put 100% into the competition, like he’d put 100% into playing for his country, but it seems that no one who works on the show can put an effort into pronouncing his name properly. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
From the voiceover, India Fisher, to judges John Torode and newbie Grace Dent, the three grand slam-winning rugby icon is constantly referred to as ‘Alan’.
And it’s irritating people, a lot.
Alun is a Welsh variation of Alan but with the use of a ‘u’ rather than an ‘a’, meaning it’s pronounced ‘Ah-lin’. Not difficult, certainly not as tongue twisting as a double l or d if you’re not from Wales.
Celebrity MasterChef fans have been ‘shouting at the TV’ and cringing, wondering why one of Wales’ most simple names can’t be said properly.
If Alun can be bothered to have laser focus on this recipe then why can’t people learn to say his name properly?
One viewer said on Facebook: ” I cringe when they say Alan. Why hasn’t someone corrected them?”
“Drives me bloody crazy, ” said another. A third said: “Very rude not to learn his name properly.”
Meanwhile one fan commented what many viewers are thinking and backed the international star for the title: “A legend on the field and in kitchen!!! My winner – gwych Alun.”
Alun – who we’re sure has gone through this mispronunciation lark for years throughout his career and has probably chosen, quite rightly, to concentrate on the competition – is in the final four of the Celebrity MasterChef series 2025 and goes up against TV presenter and author Dawn O’Porter, singer Alfie Boe and drag queen Ginger Johnson.
During the quarter finals, Alun’s food was described by Celebrity MasterChef judge and food critic Grace Dent as “delicate” as he tentatively flavoured his food. She went on to say: “I want him to be as bold with flavour as he is in a scrum.”
He’s back tonight, Tuesday, December 16 for the penultimate episode of the series and the final episode airs on Friday, December 19 on BBC One.
